Vol. 434 No. 9
155 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment if he will be encouraging the start-up of new recycling plants as part of the recycling strategy for the country; if, in view of their importance, they will receive financial aid from the Government; his views on whether, in attempting to help the environment, they are in fact damaging it by their presence and production techniques; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Wexford): I am at present preparing a National Recycling Strategy designed to optimise recycling generally in Ireland. This strategy will address policy instruments and other arrangements necessary to stimulate recycling activity and to attain satisfactory recycling targets.
My Department has, over the past five years, operated a grant scheme to assist relatively small-scale projects based on the collection, sorting or transportation for recycling of waste materials. Industrial scale recycling projects rank in appropriate circumstances for IDA assistance.
Recycling activity is subject to appropriate planning and environmental controls and these will be further reviewed in the context of the waste Bill which is being prepared.
